Historical Events tagged with "mexico"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Health & Medicine

Luis E. Miramontes Synthesizes Norethisterone

October 15th, 1951 73 years ago

Luis E. Miramontes successfully synthesizes norethisterone, a key hormone for the development of oral contraceptives. This groundbreaking achievement occurs at the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico City. Miramontes, a talented chemist, conducts his research in the post-World War II era, when there is a growing interest in reproductive health and family planning. His work lays the foundation for future advancements in contraceptive technology, significantly impacting women's health and autonomy.

Continue Reading
Education & Academia

Founding of Monterrey Institute of Technology

September 6th, 1943 81 years ago

The Monterrey Institute of Technology was founded in Monterrey, Mexico, emerging as a premier institution in higher learning. The initiative aimed to provide quality education focused on science and technology to meet the growing needs of Mexico's industrial development. Key figures in its establishment worked to create a modern university model that combined academic rigor with practical application. The first classes began with an ambitious vision to elevate educational standards regionally, setting the groundwork for a future that would influence countless students and sectors in Mexico and beyond.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Mexico Joins Allies in World War II

May 22nd, 1942 82 years ago

Mexico officially declared war on the Axis Powers, aligning itself with the Allied nations during World War II. This decision followed incidents involving German submarines attacking Mexican vessels. The Mexican government, under President Manuel Ávila Camacho, sought to support the Allies while also protecting its national interests and sovereignty. The alliance marked a significant shift in Mexico's foreign policy, reflecting an increase in global tensions and a commitment to collective security.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Leon Trotsky Assassinated in Mexico City

August 20th, 1940 84 years ago

Exiled Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky was fatally wounded by Ramón Mercader using an ice axe in his home in Mexico City. Trotsky had been a prominent figure in the Russian Revolution and was in exile due to his opposition to Joseph Stalin's regime. On that fateful day, Mercader infiltrated Trotsky's compound, posing as a supporter, and attacked him, resulting in critical injuries. Trotsky succumbed to his wounds the following day, marking a significant moment in the history of revolutionary politics.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Failed Assassination of Leon Trotsky in Mexico

May 24th, 1940 84 years ago

Iosif Grigulevich, an NKVD agent acting under Joseph Stalin’s orders, attempted to assassinate Leon Trotsky in Coyoacán, Mexico. The attempt unfolded as Grigulevich infiltrated Trotsky’s compound, where he sought to eliminate the prominent exiled Russian revolutionary. Despite orchestrating a plan involving a gun, the assassination was unsuccessful, allowing Trotsky to survive this violent plot against him, which further showcased the lengths to which the Soviet regime would go to eliminate its perceived enemies.

Continue Reading
Economics & Industry

Creation of Pemex through Oil Expropriation

March 18th, 1938 87 years ago

Mexico nationalized foreign oil properties on March 18, 1938, aiming to assert control over its resources. President Lázaro Cárdenas implemented this decision to secure economic independence and provide for the local economy, leading to the establishment of Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex). This act was driven by decades of foreign exploitation in the oil sector, which prompted a demand for national sovereignty.

Continue Reading
Sports & Recreation

Salvador Lutteroth Creates Mexican Lucha Libre

September 21st, 1933 91 years ago

Salvador Lutteroth founded the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL), establishing the framework for lucha libre in Mexico. This innovative approach included well-defined storylines, character development, and high-flying athleticism, drawing inspiration from American wrestling. It occurred in Mexico City as Lutteroth aimed to cultivate a spectacle that celebrated local culture and folklore through wrestling performances, promoting both local talent and larger-than-life personas.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Morrow Brokers Peace in Cristero War

June 21st, 1929 95 years ago

An agreement facilitated by U.S. Ambassador Dwight Whitney Morrow brought an end to the Cristero War in Mexico, a conflict that arose from opposition to the anti-Catholic policies of the Mexican government. The negotiations aimed to quell violence and restore harmony following years of civil strife. This resolution was critical for stabilizing Mexico, both politically and socially, and created an environment for dialogue between opposing factions. The agreement marked a significant diplomatic effort by Morrow, who sought to ease tensions and promote cooperation in the region.

Continue Reading
Military & Warfare

Oil Legislation Triggers Cristero War Outbreak

January 1st, 1927 98 years ago

The enactment of new oil legislation in Mexico spurred significant unrest among various factions, primarily within the Catholic community. This backlash was directly linked to the broader anti-Catholic sentiment fostered by the Mexican government. The situation escalated as rural populations began to organize into armed resistance groups, marking the formal outbreak of the Cristero War, a conflict that would see fighting primarily focused in the western regions of Mexico, particularly Jalisco and surrounding areas.

Continue Reading